Steam set-works for saw-mills



(No Model.) 5 Sheets-#Sheet v1.

G. CLARKSE W. J. TAYLoR.

STEAM SET WORKS POR SAW MILLS.

No. 275,468. -V Patented Apr. 10,1883.

N. PETERS, mawunmgmphu, wnslmgnon. D4 C.

I v 5 Sheets-Sheet 2. (n-CLARK 8v W'. J. TAYLOR.

STBAM'SBT WORKS PoR SAW MIL-Ls.' No. 275,468. Patented Apr.1o,1883.

' (No Model.)

NA PETERS. Plwlo-Uihograpmr, wnhingiap. D (l om u e h s M e h S 5 Dn... O L Y A T l W ow K R A *YL NUv G.

(No Model.)

STEAM SET WORKS FOR SAW MILLS.

No. 275,468. Patented Ap1.1(),1883.

WITNESSES (No Model.) 4 5 Sheets-Sheet. 4.

Gv. C'LARKSn W. J. TAYLOR; STEAM SET WORKS lPOR SAW MILLS.

No. 'ZV-5,1468. 'Patented Apr.10,1883.

(No Model.)

. Y n whew-sheets. GLCLARK ,8v W. J. TAYLOR A STEAM-SET WORKS FOR SAW -MILLAS.

',Patenvtempr.10,1833.-

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Iz :f5-J5; I* w I M Y j f A 7 i T5125: E'- l .dttomey VUNITED STATES IPATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE CLARK-AND WILLIAM J. TAYLOR, OF MARINETTE, VISOONSIN.`

STEAM SET-WORKSFOR SAW-MILLS.`

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 275,468, dated April 10, 1883.

Application tiled January 17, 1883. (No model.)

Setting Works for the Standards of Circular` Saw Mills,`of which the following is a specification, reference being 'nad to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to receding and setting works for the standards of circular saw mills, by which the movement ofthe standards .on thehead-blocks is effected and controlled.

The invention consists substantially in effecting the receding and'settingof the standards by means of steam-power that is obtained direct from the steam-carriage feed-works with which the herein described steam standard receding and setting mechanism is used in cooperation.

The method of obtaining the lsteam and the construction and operation of the dilerent mechanism will all be hereinafter fully described.

The mechanism by which the steam is obtained on the carriage and utilized to recede and set the standards consists broadlyin asuitably-arranged cylinder of a length equal to the greatest travel ot' the log-carriage. In this cylinder works a piston which is connected at its outer end to the log-carriage, so as to drive the latter. The head of the piston has pressure-valves arranged at each end, through which steam enters, during both movements of the piston, into a continuous' interior passage, through the latter to the end which is secured to the log-carriage, through a conducting-pipe to an accumulator thatis arranged on the carriage. From the accumulator the steam passes to a cylinder the pistou of which operates to turn the set-shaft that recedes and sets the standards. The feed of steam from the accumulator to the said cylinder is governed by an intermediate cock, all as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The receding Aand setting of circular-sawmill standards by steam has been heretofore impracticable by reason of the difficulty eX- perienced to obtain the steam ou the rapidlymoving carriage. It cannot be generated on fthe carriage in a manner consistent with safety, convenience, and economy in space or expense. It is impracticable to convey it to the carriage by means of au elastic tube, as tbe rapidity and distance (which is often as much as one hundred feet) with which the carriage travels,both in sawing and gigging, necessitate a tube ot' corresponding length. In such a tube the steam would soon condense, while the tube itselt' would become continually entangled and would suffer othersevere damage; but in our invention the steam is right at hand, coming, as it does, direct from the steam carriage-feed, and but little extra eX- pense is entailed to generate the small amount ot' extra steam that is necessary.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a circular-saw mill log carriage having our standard setting and receding mechanism. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the saine. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the logcarriage on the line v ac, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a like view on the line y y, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail side view of the ratchet set-works. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view through the latter. Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of the rotary cylinder arranged on the set-shaft otl the standards. Fig. 8 is a like view taken on a line at right angles to the section illustrated in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a detail plan view of a part of the rotary piston ot' the rotary cylinder. Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view through the fourway cockthrough which the rotary cylinder is fed. Fig. 1l is a vertical sectional view through the same. Fi g.12 is a side view, partly in section, of the steam-feed-cylinder pistonhead. Fig. 13 is an end view of the same. Fig. 14 is a view ofthe other end of the piston-head. Fig. 15 is a detail sectional view of 90 and is provided with the head blocks B B,

standards C C, set-shaft I), pinions E E, and

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racks F F, secured to the standards and engaged by the pinions.

Gr designates the steam-earriage-t'eed cylinder, which is of a length equal to the greatest travel of the carriage, in which works the piston H. The piston His hollow its entire length, so as to provide a steam-passage, for purposes that will be presently set forth; but, owing to the great length ot' the said piston, it is necessary, under some circumstances, to construct the piston-rod in sections that are joined togethcr as follows: The adjoining ends I 12 of the sections are formed substantially solid, these solid ends being provided with longitudinal perforations J by drilling or in any other manner. The end I is provided with a screw-threaded recess, K, which is entered by the reduced screw-threaded end L ofthe other end, 12, so that a steam-tight joint is formed, andthe steam-passage through the hollow piston is continued by reason ot' the connectingperforations J.

The outer end, M, of the piston-rod is constructed, like the end l2 ot' the sections of the piston, with a reduced screw-threaded portion, N, in which is provided a longitudinal perforation,0. Theportion Ncnters a screw-threaded eye, l), in a bracket, Q, that is secured to the end ot' the carriage, and is retained therein by a nut, R, as shown. The outer end of the feed-piston is thus connected to the carriage, and the interior steam -passage is still preserved.

From the end M otthe piston ll extends a pipe, S, to an accumulator, T, arranged ou the carriage.

In the head U of the piston-rod H are arranged pressure-valves V V2, that are preferably closed by springs \V, placed at about five poundspressure. Oneot'thesepressure-valves is secured in the frontend of the piston-head, and opens, as shown, into the hollow pistonrod, while the other valve, V2, is arranged at the opposite endof the piston-head, and opens into a passage, X, leading to the continuous steam-passage through the hollow piston-rod. lt will here be observed that when either ot' these valves is open there will be a direct steam-passage from the carriage-feed `cylinder to the accumulator on the carriage.

When the live steam in the cylinder (l is acting against the end of the piston having the valve V2, (which is usually when the carriage is makingaforward stroke and sawing,) it' the pressure in the cylinder is greater than that ot' the steam that may be in the accumulator, the valve V2 is opened by the excess ot' pressure in the cylinder and remainsopen until the pressure is equalized by the steam,whieh will then pass through the passage in the piston and connecting-pipe S into the accanitilator. While the valve V2 is open and the steam is passing .tothe accumulator the pressure ot' the live steam that enters through the valve V2 and lls the passage in the piston-rod will keep the valve V, at the other end ofthe piston-head,closed against the pressure of the exhaust-steam in the cylinder, so that both valves are never open at the same time. On the return-stroke (when the carriage is gigging) the live steam is admitted to the other end of the cylinder and acts against the end of the piston-head having the valve V. This is the time, when thc carriage is gigging, that the operator, usually called the setter, recedes the standards ready to receive a new log, and if, during this operation oi'receding by means 'of the herein-described steam method, the

pressure of steam in the accumulator has been reduced below the pressure of the live steam in the cylinder, the valve V is opened by the cxcessofpressnre, andthe steam passes through the hollow piston and connecting-pipe S to supply the accumulator.

There is a four-way cock, Y, intermediately arranged in a connecting-pipe, Z, between the accumulator and the cylinder, that operates the standard set-shaft, this cylinder being designated by the letter A2. If this cock Y is open to the cylinder A2 during the stroke ot' the piston-rod H, the steam will pass through the valve in the piston-head that is open, the steam-passage in the piston-rod, and the connecting-pipes, direct to the set-shaft operating cylinder A2. By this it will be seen that we depend upon the accumulator only when the steam-feed piston H is not in operation.

1t' desired, a large valve may be placed inthe front end ot' the piston-head in lien ot' valve V, and two or more valves may be placed in the other end of the piston-head, where the valve V2 is situated. Other arrangements and duplication of valves may he eiected, so that there is at least one valve at each end ot' the piston-head.

The accumulator T consists of a simple cylinder, as shown, and is provided with a blowoft` cock, B2.

The four-way cock Y, that is arranged in the feed-pipe Z, between the accumulator and the cylinder A2, is mainly of the ordinary construetion, having' the four radial passages (12,02, C4, and C5, resl'iectively, and the central key or plug, D2, provided with two channels or bores, E2 E2, this plug being turned and operated by a handle or lever, F2. Thel'eed-pipeZ enters the port G2 of the four-way valve or cock, while a feed-pipe, G2, extends from the port C into one end ofthe cylinder A2, and a corresponding pipe, H2, extends from the port Ui opposite into the other end of the said cylindcr A2. From the port Ci an exhaust-pipe, J2, is carried to the end ofthe log-carriage, or to any other convenient point. The operation of this four-way valve or cock will be readily understood. By one-eighth turn ot' the plug D2 the steam is shut entirely oit', or may he turned on by turning the cock one-eighth turn in the opposite direction. By one-fourth turn the :notion of the piston of the set-shalt operating cylinder A2 is reversed, so that the setting and receding ot the standards is accomplished.

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IOS

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The cylinder A2 for operating the set-shaftV comprises a cylindrical casing, K2, in 'which is arranged a hub,L2, keyed or otherwise secured on the set-shaft D, and provided with a transverse slot, M2, in which is arranged a sliding piston, N2. This piston N2 consistsot' two win gs, 02 02, that project from the hub L2 laterally and on opposite sides, and also pass through a slot, P2, in the set-shaft D, which registers with the slotin'the hub. The two wings comprisingA this piston N2. are connected at their point ofjuncture inside the slot P2 by springs or cushions Q2, as shown. The casing K2 is stationary, and is provided with a port at each end, these ports being designated by the letters R2 and S2, respectively. When steam is admitted through either port it acts against one of the wings ot' the sliding piston, andx thereby causes the set-shaft to turn. When the steam enters at the port R2 the port S2 acts as an exhaust-port, and vice versa, so that the set-shaft is turned in either direction to set or to recede the standards.

In lieu ot' this form of cylinder and sliding piston just described, a cylinder, T2, ot' ordinary construction, as shown in Fig. 16 of the drawings, may be used. At the outer end of the piston U2 of the cylinder T2 is secured a rack, W2, which engages a pinion, X2, on ashaft, Y2, that is provided with another pinion, Z2, which latter pinion is engaged by a correspondingly-beveled gear-wheel, A3, fixed on the set-shaft D. By means of this construction the set-shaft can also be turned in either direction.

When o ur improved steam apparatus is arranged i'or receding` purposes only, it is necessary to have a passage extending from the two ports of theset-shaft-operating cylinder to the exhaust-pipe J2 at whatever position the four-way valve may be placed. .This can be accomplished by connecting the two ports of the cylinder together by a small pipe, from which extends another small pipe to the exism by manual labor.

haust-pipe J2, (an intervening tap being preferably provided.)

We will now proceed to describe our improved set-works that are to be used in connection with the herein-described steam-power mechanism. These set-works are of such construction that in case the steam in the accuinulator vshould run short by accident or otherwise the setter (or man in charge) can set the rstandards with this improved set mechan- Comprised in these set-works are two ratchet-wheels, B3 B3, of exactly the same construction, each wheel being provided with a set-lever, D3.' E3 is simply a segment having the usual stops, F3, fitted to it. The ratchet-wheels B3 B3 are both arranged on the same hub, G3, which is keyed or otherwise secured on the set-shaft, and have teeth H3on their interior surface. The levers D3 have a rod, 13, extending from their thumblatch J 3 nearly to the hub K3, which is loosely arranged on the Setshaft D. From the'hub K3 extend two short arms, L3 L3, that move as the said'hub and its lever are adjusted or moved. To the lever D3 is attached a pawl, M3, a-nd to each arm L3 is attached a pawl, N3, these pawls being provided in their-eugaging end with teeth O3, corresponding to the teeth H3 of the wheel B3. The lever D3 and the two arms L3 are each formed or provided with a projecting portion, P3, in which is provided a slot, Q3, for the accommodation of the pawls. The latter are continuously pressing with considerable force toward the periphery of the ratchet-wheel by means of the springs B3 R3, as sh'own. Pivoted to the rod 13 are two divergent rods, S3 S3, and to the end of each of thesev rods is pivoted a lever, T3, the free end of which acts upon a projection, U3, on the pawl N3.A The rod 13 has alsoa projection, V3,

which acts upon a corresponding projection, W3, from the pawl M3. rlhus only one of the A three pawls in each of the ratchet-wheels B3 B3 is operated upon directly by the rod 13 on the lever D3, the other pair ot' pawls of each wheel (see N3 N3) being operated by the rod 13 through the agency ofthe rods S3 S3 and the levers T3 T3. The springs R3 R3 are for the purpose of forcing the pawls into the teeth oftheir respective wheels, and the rod-13, rods S3 S3, and the levers T3 T3 are for the purpose of withdrawing the pawls,this withdrawal being accomplished bysimply closing the thumblatch J3 toward the handle X3 ofthe lever D3.

In connection with one of the ratchet-wheels B3 is arranged a powerful brake-lever, Y3, as shown in Fig. 4ot' the drawings. This brakelever is provided at its power end with a step,

Z3, that is operated by the toot of the setter, orl

man in charge. j

The pawls are so disposed that only one is inaction at any one time, as the three are divided eqnally upon each tooth of the ratchetwheel. Thus when one pawl is in place and fitting into the teeth ot the ratchet-wheel one of the other pawls will require to travel onethird ot' a tooth before fitting into the teeth otthe wheel, and the remaining pawl will require t0 travel twothirds of a tooth before fitting into the teeth of the wheel. Therefore hy moving the setlever D3 one-third of a tooth at any time one or other of the pawls willft'all into action. By means of this arrangement a very tine adjustment is secured.

The brake-lever T3 is used to regulate the speedwhen receding and setting; or, should one setof ratchet-wheels and lcver'get out oi' order or be accidentally damaged, by means ot' this brake the other set can be used in place of both sets.

We will now proceed to describe the operation of our invention in connection with the above description and annexed drawings.

. The log is lirst placed in position upon thc head-blocks, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, ready to saw off a slab. The carriage-feed steam mechanism. is then set in motion, and the carriage travels down its track, so that the ICO slab is removed by the saws. rlhe carriage is then returned, ready to saw off another slab, and during the sawing and gigging the valves at each end of the piston-head have in turn opened and admitted steam, which has passed to the accumulator. After tbc carriage has been returned the operator sets the log` forward a distancesay one inch-equivalent to the thickness or diameter of the next slab that is to be out, and also a distance equivalent to the width of the kerf-that is to say, the quantity the saw takes out in sawing oft" the next slabwhich is usually about onefourth of an inch. 'Io accomplish this setting forward of the log the operator has to turn, by means ot' its governing handle or lever, the four-way valve, so that the steam from theaccumulatoris admitted to the setting side of the set-sl1aftoperating cylinder. The pins on the segment have been previously fixed or placed to regulate the desired thickness of thelumberthatis to be cut from the log, and one of the set-levers is forward againsta pin while the other set-lever is back against a pin. The pawl of the forward lever, that is in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet-whcel, prevents the set-shaft from turning, so as to move and set thc log forward, though the steam is on. No w, say the operatordesires to set the log forward one and one-fourth inch, (which will be the distance to the next pin on the segment,) he takes hold of the back lever and leaves thc thumbdatch thereof open or in its normal position, so that one of tbc three pawls of this ratchetwhecl is in engagement i with the teeth of the wheel. 'lhen with the other hand he takes hold of the back lever and closes the thumb-latch, which removes all the pawls from the teeth of this wheel, and the pressure from the piston of the set-shaft cylinder being upon the set-shaft, the latter turns and carries the ratchet-wheels forward. As the set-shaft turns, the standards and log move forward, this movement heilig limited by the forward pin on the segment. At the same time the other lever is brought back, ready for a forward movement at the next cut. During thissettiugmovementthcsteamisallowedtobe ononly partially, as but little steam is required for setting the standards and log forward until the log or cant is sawed up and is to be driven oft' the head-blocks onto the gang ways. \Yhen cants are being cut for a gang the cant (which is usually aboutI twelve inches square) upon the carriage is run down to the gangways. The setter then places his foot upon the brake-lever of the set-works, and grasps both set-levers and the latches thereon, so as to raise all the paw1s,and draws the levers quite to the back of the segment, where there is a stationary pin, l, for the purpose of rctaining the pawls away from the teeth ot' the L ratchet-wheels. The levers being now in position, the setter has his hands atliberty, and turns the four-way valve so as to admit steam i l i pinions on it work in the racks of the stand ards, driving the latter forward and the cant off the head-block onto the gang ways. The carriage in ust now be gigged or driven back for another log, this movement being effected by the steam carriage-feed. As the carriage travels back the setter turns the four-way valve so that steam is admitted to the rcceding` side ofthe setshaft-operating cylinder, and the set-shaft revolves backwardly to ren cede the standards as far as desired. The pawls, in the case of receding, do not require to be changed. Now is the time for sawing' again. One of the set-levers is placed forward againstthepinou the segment, one of its pawls being, of course, in action. The four-way valve is again turned so that steam is admitted to the set side of the set-shaft-operating cylinder and the set-shaft revolves forwardly to set the log.

By means of this steam mechanism the setter can easily and with very little labor set and recede the standards and produce all the necessary movements of the log until it is cut into the desired number of pieces, and for pushing the remaining pieces ott' the headblocks after the log is sawed up.

1t will be observed that steam is obtained for and fed into the accumulator all the time the steam carriage-feed is working, bothin saw ing and gigging.

The advantages of ourinvention will be, readily understood and appreciated by any one skilled in the art to which it appertains, and it is evident that numerous modifications in the construction and arrangement of the parts comprising our invention can be made without departing from the method and spirit thereof.

We claim as our inventionl. The combination, with the receding and setting mechanism of a circular-saw-inill carriage, of a steam mechanism acting directly on the setting and receding mechanism to ef feet any desired movement of the log on the carriage by steam-power, as set fort-h.

2. 'lhe combination, with thc steam feed mechanism of a circular-saw-mill carriage, of mechanism for con vcying steam from the feedworks onto the carriage and mechanism on the carriage for utilizing the steam thus obtained 3 to effect operation of the standards, as set forth.

In a circular saw mill, the combination of a steam-cylinder, a` piston worhingtherein, and. provided with a. continuous interior steampassage, into which steam in the cylinder es capes during operation ofthe piston, a steam cylinder o n the carriage, having a piston that rotates the standard set-shaft, and a connecting-pipe for conveying steam from the interior passage of the piston to the set-shaft operating cylinder, as set forth.

4. The herein-described means for obtaining steam on a traveling saw-mill carriage to opt0 the setting-port of the set-shaft-operating l crate the standards, or for other purposes, the

cylinder, when the set-shaft revolves and the same consisting. substantially in a cylinder IOO that is embodied in the carriage-feed works,

a piston working in the said feed-cylinder and having pressure-valves arranged at each end of its head, which valves connect with acontinuous interior steam-passage in the pistonrod, the latter being secured at its outer end to the carriage, and a conducting-pipe extend` ing from the interior steam'passage in the piston at its secured end to an accumulator on. the carriage, the steam being forced into this accumulator at each stroke of the said feedpiston by forcing open the valve at the end against which the steam-pressure is at the time exerted and passing into the interior steampassage, as set forth. l

5.1In a circular saw mill, the combination, with the set-shaft,of a stationary cylinder having a piston for operatin g the said shaft, a fourway cock connected bysuitable pipes Wit-h the said cylinder to feed and exhaust the steam from the same, and a steam-feed pipe leading from steam-feed mechanism into one side of the four-way cock, as set forth.

6. In a circular saw mill, the combination, with the standard set-shaft having steam operating-power, of ratchet wheels or disks (one 3o ratchet'wheel, said lever being loosely arranged on the set-shaft, and pawls which normally press toward the periphery of the wheel, as set forth. I

7. In a circular saw mill, the combination of ratchet-wheels (one or more) fixed on the setshaft, which has steam-power-rotating mechanism, pawls normally pressing toward the periphery of the wheel, an operating-lever carrying the said pawls, and having a sliding rod provided with connecting rods and levers for drawing all the pawls at one movement from engagement with the teeth of the wheel, and a segment provided with stop-pins, as set forth.

8. In a saw-mill, the combination, with the standard set-shaft, ot' a hub xed thereto and arranged inside a stationary cylinder having the usual pair of ports, and a sliding rotary piston passing through a slot in the hub and set-shaft, and composed ot' two wings formed with a cushioned connection inside the said slot, as set forth.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own we have hereto affixed our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE CLARK. WILLIAM JOHN TAYLOR.

Witnesses:

J. B. FAIRCHILD, GRAS. C. DAILY. 

